Rocky Mountain alpineparsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rocky Mountain alpineparsley |
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| Conservation status | |
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| (unranked): | |
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Oreoxis
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O. humilis
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| Oreoxis humilis |
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Oreoxis humilis is a very rare and unique flowering plant. It belongs to the carrot family, just like the carrots you might eat! People often call this plant the Rocky Mountain alpineparsley. It is a special plant because it grows only in one small area. This plant is found only in the state of Colorado in the United States.
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What is Rocky Mountain Alpineparsley?
The Rocky Mountain alpineparsley is a type of perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows back each year from its roots. The plant usually reaches about 12 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a regular pencil!
How Does It Look and Grow?
This small plant blooms with bright yellow flowers. You can see these flowers during the summer months. The flowers are tiny and grow in clusters. They look a bit like miniature umbrellas.
Where Does It Live?
The Rocky Mountain alpineparsley has a very specific home. It grows on granite rocks and soil. Granite is a hard, strong type of rock. This plant also lives above the tree line. The tree line is the highest point on a mountain where trees can still grow. Above this line, it's too cold and windy for most trees.
Why is This Plant Rare?
This plant is considered rare because there are not many of them. Scientists have found only three main groups of these plants. All of these groups are located near Pikes Peak in Colorado. In total, there are about 4,240 individual plants. This small number makes it very special and important to protect.
What Threatens This Plant?
The Rocky Mountain alpineparsley faces a challenge. Its habitat is near the Pikes Peak Highway. This road is used by many people. Construction work and regular upkeep of the highway can harm the plant. This is why it's important to be careful when working near where these plants grow. Protecting their small home helps them survive.
